Chicago Pigeon Feeding Ban Seeks To Penalize Bird Lovers

Chicago, IL – If you enjoy feeding the countless pigeons you encounter on your daily adventures, you may want to start tossing food to your feathery friends on the sly.

According to The Huffington Post, Alderman James Cappleman of Chicago’s 46th ward said he wants to impose stricter penalties for those individuals who keep feeding the bothersome birds. In short, tossing bread to the pigeons would become illegal.

The proposed ordinance would certainly make someone think twice before throwing bread crumbs to a loft of pigeons on the sidewalk. In addition to a $1,000 fine, the offender may cool his or her heels behind bars for roughly six months.

“This is our way of saying this is really hurting the community. It’s hurting the businesses. We have to put a stop to it,” Cappleman explained to the Chicago Sun-Times. He added the pigeon population in his ward is growing to the point that some people are afraid to walk through L train stations.

“[The Chicago Transit Authority] has said the pigeon excrement is about a fourth of an inch thick and they’ll clean it and within a week, it’s back to the way it was before,” Cappleman said.

According to UPI, the alderman isn’t alone in his opinion regarding those who continue to feed the pigeons. Bobby Williams said he too feels these people are only adding to the problem.

“They’re a nuisance,” the concerned citizen explained. “They’re everywhere. You know, you could stand there waiting on the bus and they’re all over your feet. I think it should be illegal to feed them.”

NBC Chicago reports that some folks don’t feel the pigeons are as big of a problem as others claim. In their eyes, it just comes with the territory.

“I don’t see the problem with it. The birds stay in one area, that’s it,” resident Chuck Brown said.